Nicola Sturgeon reveals she wants to become Scotland's first female First Minister

12:22, 19 Mar 2014

Updated 12:26, 19 Mar 2014

ByScotland Now

ALEX SALMOND'S deputy has admitted her ambition of landing the top job in Scottish politics, but insists securing independence is her priority.

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Nicola Sturgeon wants to become First Minister when Alex Salmond steps down

NICOLA STURGEON has revealed that she wants to become Scotland's first female First Minister.

The current Deputy First Minister has openly admitted her ambition of taking over from Alex Salmond at the very top of Scottish politics for the first time, but claims winning September's independence referendum is her top priority.

Sturgeon has been in charge of the SNP's independence campaign since 2012 and insists all of her efforts are focused on securing a Yes vote on September 18.

Public appearances and participation in television debates has seen her profile skyrocket since the appointment.

Sturgeon originally challenged for leadership of the SNP in 2004 following the resignation of John Swinney, who is now Finance Secretary.

However, she withdrew from the contest when Salmond made a last minute decision to stand and instead joined him as his deputy.

And now Sturgeon has confirmed that she has her eye on the job of first minister when Salmond decides to step down.

She said: “Well, I am a politician, I am in politics and I don’t think ambition is a bad thing.”

“Anybody in any walk of life – if they are ambitious – wants to get to the pinnacle of their profession. So hypothetically, of course that is something I would like to think that one day I will get the chance to do.

“Will I ever get the chance to do it? Well, that is not ultimately up to me.

“It has been my philosophy on life all along that you focus on what you’re doing at any one time. If you spend too much time thinking about where you want to go, you take your eye off the ball on what you’re charged with doing at any given time.”

Despite her ambition, Sturgeon's current plan is to persuade Scots to support the SNP’s independence plans.

Sturgeon says her priority is to secure Scotland's independence

She said: “I’ve been a believer in independence and a campaigner for independence throughout my entire adult life.

“I have always believed in it because I believe it is the key to building the kind of country I want to live in and the country I want to see for future generations.

“So given we have the opportunity in six months’ time to get the powers to build that type of country, I am not going to sit on the sidelines.

“For me, this is a massive opportunity for the country, I am very privileged to be playing a leading role in it and I want to give it everything I’ve got.”

The Glasgow Southside MSP believes the pro-independence arguments will convince more voters, with only six months to go before polling day.

She said: “As we get closer to the referendum, as people increasingly engage with the issues and think in very real terms about what it means for them and their families, I think you’ll begin to see support rise.

“There is still six months to go and I firmly believe that if we make the referendum about what I think it should be about – the kind of country we want Scotland to be and the tools we need to create that country – then I think we will win people over.”

A recent poll showed that men now marginally back independence but women remain opposed.

But Sturgeon predicted women would eventually be convinced.

She said: “I don’t think the poll evidence bears that out at all. I don’t think it is an issue and I’m not just saying that as his loyal deputy.

“Strong leaders will always incur strong passions and opinions but I don’t think there is any particular difference in that between men and women when it comes to Alex. Poll after poll shows he is the most trusted politician of all in Scotland.”

She insisted women are just taking longer to weigh up independence.

Sturgeon added: “I think women take a very pragmatic view of things. For women generally it is much less about symbols of statehood and much more about ‘Will this lead to a fairer society?’

“For me, the debate is about what kind of society we want Scotland to be. About what kind of welfare state we want, what kind of economy we want, what we want to see in terms of pensions and the childcare provision we have."

“The more focus there is on these, the more I think we will win over people, and women in particular.”